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RareShare, a startup dedicated to building online awareness about rare medical disorders, has announced today that it has launched an early beta version of its health 2.0 social networking platform designed to bring together patients, families and healthcare professionals to share information and personal knowledge about rare diseases.

"Our goal is to build a network of micro-communities where people can help each other by sharing firsthand knowledge about living and being affected by these medical disorders," explained Eric Steele, Co-Founder of RareShare. "By launching an early-beta version of RareShare, we hope gain further insight about our initial user-base to help improve the services and tools offered through RareShare," he added.

The Site is currently organized into micro-communities, each dedicated to a specific rare disorder. RareShare members can join these micro-communities to begin collaborating with others. Presently, the RareShare network hosts over 500 different micro-communities and is expected to expand to over 1,000 micro-communities by the end of the summer.

About RareShare:
RareShare was founded in early 2008 on the idea that there is a better way to bring together patients, families and healthcare professionals to share knowledge and personal experiences about rare medical disorders.

While rare disorders may seem to impact only a small portion of the population, together they affect over 30 million individuals in the United States and Europe alone. In the United States there are as many as 1,500 diseases that qualify for rare diseases status.

Due to the comparably low level of occurrences of individual rare disorders, there is often a lack of information and support for patients and their families. The RareShare micro-communities are designed for people to share experiences, explore treatment options and find support among others affected by the same disorders.

Our Mission:
We are dedicated to building international online communities designed to increase the level of communication and support among patients, families and healthcare professionals affected by rare medical disorders.

Our Founders
David Isserman
David Isserman is an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for building companies. Over the years, David has amassed a broad range of knowledge working in the technology, consumer products, retail, biotechnology, and public relations industries. Prior to founding RareShare, David founded Isserman Consulting, a successful communications consultancy that advises early-stage and growth companies. Before that, he was a co-founder of The Selling Block, a click and mortar company specializing in asset liquidation for businesses, which he sold in 2006. David holds a Bachelor's in Business from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. When David isn't working on RareShare, you can find him on the hiking trails around Boulder or volunteering his time to support wilderness conservation initiatives.

Eric Steele
Eric Steele's background centers around the financing and operations of high growth technology firms. Prior to RareShare, Eric founded ForePoint Networks, a wireless internet service provider delivering high-speed connectivity throughout rural Indiana. Eric has extensive experience working with angel and venture investors and has assisted in closing multiple rounds of financing in both management and consulting roles. Eric is actively involved in the community and sits on numerous boards ranging from entrepreneurship to community outreach.